The Federal Government will pay workers a ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for six months. The payments begin in November 2026. The government and the Nigeria Labour Congress reached the resolution at a conciliation meeting on Tuesday in Abuja. The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment convened the meeting. It followed the NLC’s demands for improved conditions and economic relief.
The government removed the petrol subsidy in 2023. Transport costs rose sharply. The minimum wage was raised to ₦70,000 in 2024. Inflation eroded its value. The NLC demanded relief. In 2023, the government approved a ₦35,000 wage award for six months. It expired. The NLC renewed its demands. In October 2026, it held a two-week ultimatum and threatened a strike. The current resolution is a concession.
The Minister of Labour, Muhammad Dingyadi; the Budget Director-General, Tanimu Yakubu; and the Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office, Garba Abdul, signed for the government. The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and the JNPSNC National Secretary, Olowoye Gbenga, signed for labour.
The transport intervention covers workers across all levels. The peculiar allowance arrears, approved from 1 May 2026, will be paid in three equal instalments starting in November. The parties will redeem 19 months of outstanding health workers’ allowances within three months from December. The Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee will be constituted immediately. The parties disagreed on the effective date for the new wage. The parties referred tax relief to the National Executive Council. Agricultural workers’ hazard allowance is awaiting verification. The cost assessment for the Consolidated Health Salary Structure will take three weeks. The parties will reconvene in a month to assess implementation.
Winners: Workers, who gain allowances. The NLC, which shows leverage. Health workers, who gain arrears. The government, which avoids a strike. Losers: Taxpayers, who fund the allowances. The treasury, if the payments require borrowing. State and local governments, which are urged to participate. Workers, if the payments are delayed. No serious losers if implementation holds.
Bottom Line: ₦70,000 for six months. Arrears in instalments. The NLC got concessions. The government avoided a strike. The agreement is a relief. Implementation is the test.